17' Series Family expanda. Just some questions.

[Mattd]

Hello,
First time poster, long time viewer.

Making the transition from tambo soft floor camper to expanda for comfort and ease. We deserve it... 2 adults and 2 kids close to 10 yrs..

Light off road, extented touring, free camping and the odd cp.

Thinking about getting a 17.58-2 OB expanda for the family. Just a few questions if possible.

1. Thinking about a 2011-2013 model. Any differences between these years other than cosmetics?
2. We are into off roading (rooftop tent on truck) to go further. Is the simplicity suspension any good?
3. Is $30-39 thou going to get me in the game?
4. Any issues to look for?
5. Anyone got one for sale in Victoria?

Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks mattd

 

[Bluey]

we have the jtech suspension very good ours is 2014 1756-2 outback there is a for sale thread down bottom of home page ??????
and :welcome: good to have another Victorian there's so many of us all wanting to go to QLD with our vans

 

[Delano]

Welcome @Mattd, you won't know yourself going from soft floor to expanda.
What are you gonna do with that spare Hour after setup.
That's what I like to call Happy Hour !!!

 

[dagree]

Welcome @Mattd and a good choice in van. We went straight from using a 12 x 15 cabin tent straight into a 16.49.3 expanda and missed the camper trailer stage!

Will try and answer some of your questions.....
1) Yes mainly cosmetics and maybe updated accessories/appliances.
2) Can't compare as we have fixed axle suspension... Had to keep the weight down!
3) $30 - $39K should get you started with maybe a 2011/12ish model.
4) Issues..... Only main thing would be look under the mattresses for water ingress/stains. Only other thing is make sure you check that everything works. A second hand van should already have any warranty issues sorted.
5) Sorry from WA and not selling

Have a good read through the multitude of posts on here and you'll more than likely find more answers and better still.... Lots of ideas to spend your hard earned on!

 

[bigcol]

welcome @Mattd
I cannot help you, as I have a 16.49.1

but there will be even more along soonish

cheers

 

[Crusty181]

Hello,
First time poster, long time viewer.

Making the transition from tambo soft floor camper to expanda for comfort and ease. We deserve it... 2 adults and 2 kids close to 10 yrs..

Light off road, extented touring, free camping and the odd cp.

Thinking about getting a 17.58-2 OB expanda for the family. Just a few questions if possible.

1. Thinking about a 2011-2013 model. Any differences between these years other than cosmetics?
2. We are into off roading (rooftop tent on truck) to go further. Is the simplicity suspension any good?
3. Is $30-39 thou going to get me in the game?
4. Any issues to look for?
5. Anyone got one for sale in Victoria?

Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks mattd

Hi @Mattd and welcome to the forum. This is a bit of an addictive place with great folk from right across the country, and a depth of knowledge and sense of humour to match. Very popular choice of van, with a big representation here to pick their brains.

The Simplicity suspension is the duck nuts, so much so that Jayco copied it and called JTech Suspension. Heavy, fully independent, strong and a great ride. It is a massive overkill for a Jayco because Jayco's are not a match for the strength of Simplicity. The chassis will be going strong but everything above it will have fell off. Thats not a poo poo of Jayco, more a endorsement of the Simplicity. If you can't find a 2nd van you like with Simplicity its certainly not the end of the world.

 

[Wanda]

Hi @Mattd :wave: welcome aboard.

 

[Daniel Peterson]

Hi @Mattd i got my 2012 17.56-2OB within you price range and it had only been used twice. There are bargains around, easy to buy when you have the cash in hand. The year range you are looking at are basically the same apart from option layoutvis the same. I can recomend the 150ltr fridge over the 90 especially with kids. Or youll be draging an extra fridge around. Keep in mind they are quite heavy.